Brooks Comes Out of Retirement

Superstar Garth Brooks has confirmed he’s making a country comeback, seven years after he announced his retirement.

The 45-year-old declared his intention to cease touring and recording in 2000, but has now changed his mind with a new single and a greatest hits collection, which includes a further three new tracks, due for release later this year.

And Brooks, who is married to singer Trisha Yearwood, is looking forward to seeing how he fares against a new generation of country stars.

He says, “Sure I’m scared to death — I’m rusty and I’ve seen these young guys. But I’m a competitor and when it’s game day you start competing.

“Keith Urban is a beautiful guy, and he’s just one of about 50 guys out there I’ll have to face this fall so if you don’t bring your A game you’re going to get run over.

“And I’m Mr. Yearwood now so I want to make her proud.”

But Brooks has no plans to tour and hints he may head back to retirement after the new material’s release.

He says, “We’ll go back to what I was doing before and sit on our butts for a while after the promo work for the new album is complete.”